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English Grammar


Past Tense vs. Present Perfect Tense

Jorgito
User since 2009
Posts: 3

3 May 2010

Hi there,


Somebody can tell me the difference between:


I went to Japan last year.
I have been to Japan in the last year.


I would use for both cases the Past Tense but obviously I am wrong.


Thanks for your comments.


Georg

3 comments

  • User since 2009
    Posts: 3

    3 May 2010

    Hi there,


    Somebody can tell me the difference between:


    I went to Japan last year.
    I have been to Japan in the last year.


    I would use for both cases the Past Tense but obviously I am wrong.


    Thanks for your comments.


    Georg
  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    4 May 2010

    You went to Japan last year. Good to you. I know precisely when you went: last year.
    You have been there in the last year. You leave me uncertain about the moment you went in the course of the year.
  • User since 2010
    Posts: 1

    6 May 2010

    "Last year" and "in the last year" do not mean the same thing. "Last year" is a fixed time in the past while "in the last year" refers to a time period that is still open. So "I've been to Japan in the last year" means you went sometime up to now and you might/could go again during this time period. I wish I could draw a timeline here to help you understand better!

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